Proposed Guantanamo rule change sparks backlash

[cal04]

http://news.yahoo.com/proposed-guantanamo-rule-change-sparks-backlash-204929323.html

The new commander of the Guantanamo Bay prison is seeking to impose significant changes to communications allowed between lawyers and prisoners facing war- crimes charges at the U.S. base in Cuba, The Associated Press has learned.

(snip)
Lawyers for the Sept. 11 prisoners received the draft order from the commander, Navy rear Adm. David Woods, on Dec. 22 and were told to sign an agreement to abide by the rules within 48 hours.

Instead, they sent a written response contending that requiring them to abide by such rules in order to see their clients was illegal.

"This requirement, as a precursor to engaging in client communications, interferes with the attorney-client relationship, compels counsel to violate ethical obligations, and therefore renders it impossible for counsel to effectively represent our clients," they wrote, appealing for more time to review the proposed order.

[Solly Mack]

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